Selling your home in 2023

Lynne Lancaster of PFK Estate Agency looks at what it takes to make things happen in the property market this Year.

Last year Russia set foot on Ukrainian soil, the chickens were still coming home to roost for Boris Johnson, we had hardly heard of Liz Truss before she became our prime minister and we were trying to move forward from a variety of Covid restrictions.

This year we are witnessing strike action - nurses, train drivers, teachers, postal workers, etc.The Bank of England has now increased the base rate to 4% reaching a 14-year high and the predictions (depending on what you read) suggest the property market is showing signs of cooling.

So it is difficult to imagine now how the property sector could not have been greatly affected by all that has happened at home and abroad during the last year.

Yet despite all the political and economic turmoil, the property market is still active. If anything, the market has reached a more normal level of activity. It's just that most activity is down to the doers and not the wait-and-seers.

There are two ways to sell property. The first is to let it happen. That has been fine over the past few years when all many had to do was to open the door to lots of viewers and then bask in the flood of cash offers that ensued.

The second way to sell a house is to make it happen. Now that the market has turned in favour of buyers, sellers can't sit back; they have to take the initiative. So, to location, location, location as a strong buying feature we must add price, price, price and condition, condition, condition.

A property won't sell without some effort from sellers to prepare it for the market. If that means setting a competitive asking price and keeping a welcoming exterior and neat and spotless interior, then so be it.

Good estate agents are doers by nature, training and experience is essential. They work closely with their clients, understanding their journey and making it a realisation.But they can't do it alone, they need their clients' support and agreement. This teamwork is essential to get things done. To make things happen in the property market in 2023, don't be a wisher be a doer and contact PFK Estate Agents your local property experts who will help you on your journey.